A Revised Bill May Prohibited Smoking in Pennsylvania Casinos
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The Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act, sponsored by Democrat Rep. Dan Frankel of Allegheny County, forbids smoking at PA casinos.
The Clean Indoor Air Act of 2008 was enacted into PA law exactly 15 years ago on June 13th. The goal was to make interior public areas smoke-free. Casinos in PA were excluded from the act’s smoking restrictions because of this provision.
Casino executives all around the state have recently been under investigation because of Frankel. The only casinos with indoor smoking bans are those at Parx Casino’s sites in Shippensburg and Bensalem.
Frankel, who is currently the majority head of the health committee, provided details about the legislative procedure used to ban smoking at PA casinos.
What is Covered Under the Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act?
There were gaps in the Clean Indoor Air Act that allowed PA casinos to allow smoking. Casinos in PA are permitted to designate areas for smokers on 50% of the gaming floor.
According to Frankel, the most recent measure has not yet been properly submitted in 2023. When it is, the law will, with the exception of cigar bars, cover the majority of gaps in the Clean Indoor Air Act. The following places would no longer be excluded under the new act:
- Private clubs;
- Home daycare facilities;
- Hotels;
- VFW bars;
- Bars where food sales account for 15% or less of total revenue.
The Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act also forbids the use of any kind of e-cigarette or vaping.
